Government of Sweden to pay immigrants $34,000 for voluntary return home

The Swedish government announced on Thursday plans to increase financial support for immigrants opting to return to their home countries voluntarily, despite recent recommendations advising against such an expansion, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

Beginning in 2026, immigrants leaving Sweden of their own accord will be eligible for up to 350,000 Swedish kronor (roughly $34,000) in assistance, a substantial rise from the current grant of 10,000 kronor.

Currently, under Swedish law, adults can receive a maximum of 10,000 kronor each, with 5,000 kronor per child and a family cap set at 40,000 kronor, according to a report by SVT Nyheter.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell, speaking at a press briefing in Stockholm, emphasized that the country is undergoing a "paradigm shift" in its migration policies.

Ludvig Aspling, a member of the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, noted that this return grant, which has been available since 1984, is relatively unknown and seldom utilized. However, he believes that a more aggressive promotion of the expanded financial offer could encourage more immigrants to take advantage of the opportunity.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who rose to power in 2022 leading a minority right-wing government backed by the populist Sweden Democrats, had pledged to tackle issues related to immigration and crime during his campaign.

Historically, Sweden, known for its tradition of “Swedish Exceptionalism,” has welcomed refugees from conflict-ridden nations such as Syria, Afghanistan, the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Somalia, and Iran, particularly since the 1990s.